Liquid dispenser having a supply container delivering to a receiving chamber



Jan. 17, 1967 N. .1. SMALLEY 3,298,573

LIQUID DISPENSER HAVING A SUPPLY CONTAINER DELIVERING TO A RECEIVINGCHAMBER Filed March 17, 1965 1N VEN TOR. 11/52 (Z Jzmzz z) fiTTOK/VEYSUnited States Patent ()fifice Patented Jan. 17, 1967 3,298,573 LIQUIDDISPENSER HAVING A SUPPLY CON- TAINER DELIVERING TO A RECEIVING CHAMBERNed J. Smalley, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Owens-Illinois Inc., acorporation of Ohio Filed Mar. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 440,358 4 Claims. (Cl.222-207) My invention relates to liquid dispensers and more particularlyto that type which also functions as a closure cap affixed to the mouthof a receptacle or container, such, for example, as a glass bottle orsimilar container.

My invention is particularly adapted for use in the d18- pensing ofliquid sugar substitutes and has for an important object the provisionof a dispensing fitment which initially is the primary closure for acontainer of such liquid, while in the hands of the ultimate consumer itbecomes a means for dispensing the liquid either in drop-bydrop fashionor in stream flow, at the election of the consumer.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a combination closurecap and liquid dispenser, which, upon inversion of the containercarrying same, will dispense the liquid contents as a succession ofdrops but, if desired, can eflect .regulable stream flow through due tomanual axial deflection of a part of the dispenser.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a liquid dispensercomprising a compressible reservoir capable of segregating some of theliquid from the main body in a container carrying such dispenser, thelatter having so-calle'd snip-tip or nozzle which, after being snipped,is capable of either. drop-by-drop or stream flow discharge of liquiddirectly from the reservoir.

It is also an object of my invention to provide in a liquid dispenser ofthe above character a novel, effect ve device for compressing adiaphragm portion, such belng a flanged collar encompassing thereservoir and freely movable axially of the latter and container neck toeffect compression of the diaphragm.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed outherein-after.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of my application: I

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of my invention mounted upon themouth-defining neck of a bottle.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the dispenser.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view of my liquiddispenser secured to the mouth-forming neck of a liquid container.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane of line 4-4 ofFIG. 3, also showing in elevation a portion of the container.

The illustrated embodiment of my invention is shown attached to the neck10 of a liquid container 11, such as a bottle, the neck beingcylindrical and creating a mouth 12. Externally of the neck 10, at itsrim end 13, is an annular radial rib 14, or bead, which, as will beapparent, aids in securing the liquid dispenser 15 to the bottle.

The dispenser 15 initially functions as the primary closure for thecontainer, as is abundantly clear. It comprises an inner basin 16created by the centrally dished disk-like wall 1 which may well beformed of relatively rigid polyethylene, or similar plastic material.Encircling the basin at the rim end 18 thereof is a relatively wideannular flange 19 or web, which extends radially outward to a positionof rest upon the rim 13 of the container neck 10 to thereby locate thisbasin in the mouth 12 of the container. The radial width of this flange19 is sufiiciently great and the diameter of the basin 16 small enoughto provide an exposed annular area in which a plurality of with thediaphragm 21 in proximity to the nozzle.

apertures 20 or ports, are formed to permit flow of the liquid contentsof the container 11 into the space beyond the basin 16. As will becomeapparent presently, such flow of liquid through the apertures 20 occursincident to inversion of the container, while deposition of such liquidin the basin takes place upon reinversion of the container. This basin16 and a highly resilient polyethylene diaphragm 21 associatedtherewith, together create a reservoir capable of isolating a small butnormally adequate amount of the liquid at a convenient point for ready,immediate dispensing, when desired.

The diaphragm 21 is of generally dome-shape, and at its margin isprovided with an integral depending annular wall 22 of a diameterslightly greater than the diameter of an imaginary circle registeringwith the axes of the apertures 20. Thus these apertures, or ports, mayfreely perform their function. At the lower or inner margin of thisdepending wall 22, is a radially outwardly projecting flange 23 joinedat its outer margin to an attaching skirt 24. This skirt is of adiameter to encompass the bottle neck 10, particularly the radial rib 14thereof and has an annular internal bead 25 so positioned as to firmlyengage the lower side of said radial rib 14 and thereby firmly, yetreleasably, secure the diaphragm and hence the basin 16, assembled withthe container 11. Preferably a sealing bead 26 of annular form isinterposed between the radial apertured flange 19 of the basin and theradial flange 23 of the diaphragm. I have shown it formed as a part ofthe inner flange 19 of the basin unit. It, of course, could be on theother flange 23, if preferred. Snapping of the diaphragm in place tendsto embed the sealing bead in the adjacent flange and prevents leakage ofthe contents, as is apparent.

Discharge of the liquid from the reservoir is by way of a snip-tip 27,or nozzle, which, if preferred, may be positioned axially of thediaphrgam 21. This nozzle is of stepped diameter, being of relativelylarge diameter in the base section 28 which is connected directly to thediaphragm and having a tip portion of smaller diameter. This tip portioninitially is closed and is intended to be severed near the outer endpreparatory to dispensing the liquid. With the bore 29 of this nozzle ofabout onesixteenth inch diameter, I have determined that mere inversionof the container will produce a d-rop-by-drop discharge of the liquid.If, however, a more rapid flow is desired, as when filling a teaspoonwith the liquid sweetener, axial inward flexing of the diaphragm underfinger pressure and with the container inverted will produce the desiredresults.

To facilitate flexing of the diaphragm as just suggested, I haveprovided a finger-piece 30, such being an inverted cup-like elementcomprising .an axially apertured top wall 31, or panel, and a dependingmarginal annular skirt 32. The top wall 31 has a central or axialopening 33 to accommodate the base section 28 of the nozzle 27, withsome clearance between the nozzle and wallof the opening 33 to permitready assembling of the elements. The top wall 31, in the area about theopening 33 is in contact In order to hold the finger-piece 30 assembledwith the remaining elements, an internal annular bead 34 is formed onthe skirt 32 near, or at its free lower end. This bead functions. as astop, preventing accidental separation of the elements and also holdsthe top wall 31 in contact with the diaphragm at all times.

When one wishes to dispense the liquid contents, it is only necessary toinvert the container. In this position and without manipulation of thefinger-piece 30, the liquid flows into the reservoir through theapertures 20 and thence to the nozzle 27, from which it will dischargedropby-drop. Should stream flow be desired, the finger-piece 30 ispressed axially to inwardly flex the diaphragm, thereby creatingpressure Within the reservoir and effecting discharge of the liquid.Through the simple step of only partially inverting the container, thebasin 16 may be filled with the liquid and thus maintain a small, butnormally adequate, supply ready for immediate dispensing through thenozzle 27.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In a liquid dispenser, a reservoir comp-rising a marginally flangedbasin, a dome-like diaphragm opposed to the basin and having a dischargenozzle communicating with the reservoir interior, the flange of thebasin having apertures through which liquid may flow into and out of thereservoir, the flanged basin being formed of a relatively rigid plasticand the diaphragm being highly resilient and capable of axial flexing tothereby create liquid discharge pressure within the reservoir, thenozzle extending axially outward from the diaphragm and an axiallymovable finger-piece, encompassing the diaphragm and manually operableto flex said diaphragm.

2. In combination, .a liquid container having a mouthdefining neck,there being an annular radial rib encircling the mouth end of the neck,a liquid dispenser comprising a basin positioned in the mouth, anannular radial supporting flange for the basin resting upon the mouthend of the neck, said flange having at least one aperture through whichliquid may flow out of and into the container, an axially flexibleresilient diaphragm of generally dome-like form spaced axially outwardfrom said basin, means forming a part of the diaphragm and engaging theradial rib to hold the diaphragm and basin assembled and secured to thecontainer, and a dispensing nozzle through which liquid may discharge,the nozzle being positioned axially of the diaphragm, and axiallymovable diaphragm flexing means comprising a cup-like element encompass-4 ing the diaphragm, basin, and part of the neck and formed with anopening through which said nozzle projects.

3. In a combination as defined in claim 2, a discharge nozzle formed asan integral part of the diaphragm and a manually operable diaphragmflexing means comprising a cylindrical cup-like element including a topwall having a central aperture to accommodate the nozzle, a dependingattaching skirt at the periphery of the top wall encompassing the skirtof the diaphragm, and an annular internal rib on the skirt carried bythe last named wall to engage the free edge of the diaphragm skirt andhold the basin and diaphragm and flexing means assembled.

4. In a liquid dispenser, a reservoir comprising a marginally flangedbasin, a dome-like diaphragm opposed to the basin and having a dischargenozzle communicating with the reservoir interior, the flange of thebasin having apertures through which liquid may flow into and out of thereservoir, the flanged basin being formed of a relatively rigid plasticand the diaphragm being highly resilient and capable of axial flexing tothereby create liquid discharge pressure Within the reservoir, thenozzle extending axially outward from the diaphragm and there beingdiaphragm flexing means comp-rising a cylindrical cup-like memberencompassing the diaphragm and basin and having an axial opening throughwhich the nozzle projects.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,542,584 6/1925Rose 222207 2,095,622 10/1937 Wilson 222321 2,989,215 6/1961 Willing ham222--2O7 3,141,580 7/1964 Rogers 222-213 ROBERT B. REEVES, PrimaryExaminer.

WALTER SOBIN, Examiner.

1. IN A LIQUID DISPENSER, A RESERVOIR COMPRISING A MARGINALLY FLANGEDBASIN, A DOME-LIKE DIAPHRAGM OPPOSED TO THE BASIN AND HAVING A DISCHARGENOZZLE COMMUNICATING WITH THE RESERVOIR INTERIOR, THE FLANGE OF THEBASING HAVING APERTURES THROUGH WHICH LIQUID MAY FLOW INTO AND OUT OFTHE RESERVOIR, THE FLANGED BASIN BEING FORMED OF A RELATIVELY RIGIDPLASTIC AND THE DIAPHRAGM BEING HIGHLY RESILENT AND CAPABLE OF AXIALFLEXING TO THEREBY CREATE LIQUID DISCHARGE PRESSURE WITHIN THERESERVOIR, THE NOZZLE EXTENDING AXIALLY OUTWARD FROM THE DIAPHRAGM ANDAN AXIALLY MOVABLE FINGER-PIECE, ENCOMPASSING THE DIAPHRAGM AND MANUALLYOPERABLE TO FLEX SAID DIAPHRAGM.